Why Plant Ghost Fern?
Pale as moonlight, this hauntingly beautiful Spirit makes shady borders shine with an unearthly light. Ghost Fern is a dramatic plant with fine, feathery fronds that are frosted with a bright silvery sheen. It positively glows in gloomy spaces. Use it to add zest to a north-facing foundation bed, a dark side yard, or a patio plating under a shade tree or arbor. It looks especially striking next to deep green–foliaged plants like Rhododendrons, Bergenia, and Siberian Bugloss. You would think a stunner like this would be a diva, but it’s actually quite easy to grow. Highly recommended.
Passionate gardener Nancy Swell once wrote that, because of their wonderful diversity and natural beauty, “ferns are among the nicest possible things to have around.” She cultivated many varieties of Ferns in her Virginia garden, where she also specialized in Azaleas and Hostas. The Ghost Fern arose in her garden as a cross between two beloved species, the Japanese Painted Fern from East Asia, and the Lady Fern from the U.S. and other parts of the Northern Hemisphere. Swell passed away in 2008, but her legacy lives on in this dreamy Spirit, which gardeners now enjoy all over the world.
How to use Ghost Fern in the landscape?
This shade loving fern works wonders in a wide range of garden themes: woodland, urban, cottage, zen - the possibilities are endless! Just be sure to plant in a shady spot, where the silvery gray-green foliage can shimmer in the breeze.
Planting Zones
Hardiness Zone: 4-9
How To Plant Ghost Fern
Although Ghost Fern is one tough Spirit, treating it well will reap rewards. This means giving it a premium spot in the landscape where it will receive gentle morning sun or dappled sunlight throughout the day. It needs shade when the sun is hottest. This Fern also appreciates rich, organic soil that holds some moisture but drains well and doesn’t stay soggy after a rain. Ghost Fern goes completely dormant in winter, coming to life again in mid-spring.
Got deer? Ferns are usually a safe bet where deer are a problem. They provide needed greenery in the shady woodland garden spaces where deer may come looking for a meal, but deer tend to leave them alone. Ghost Fern is troubled by few pests of any kind and is relatively carefree.
How To Water
Water weekly to ensure the soil remains moist. Regular irrigation is important for lush growth, especially if plants are competing with tree roots for water. The Ghost Fern can tolerate dry spells once established, but it does prefer consistent moisture.
How To Fertilize
Feed your Ghost Fern Elements Starter Plant food frequently through the growing season to be sure that it has plenty of nutrients.
How To Prune
In Spring, remove the old fronds after the new growth has begun to emerge. Be sure to divide the clumps every two to three years to avoid overcrowding and maintain plant health.
How Does Shipping Work?
Bower & Branch Trees, the real BIG trees, don’t fit in a box! Our big trees, sizes XL and bigger, require expert delivery and care, that means our extra-large trees are shipped on Bower & Branch trucks. We are the only ones who know how to ship our big and bigger trees and plants with tender loving care. We deliver your trees and plants directly to you. Ask Bower & Branch about planting services – we'd be happy to assist in installation.
*For Big trees and Shrubs, Size XL and bigger: Review our Seasonal Shipping Timelines and Policy here.
Your trees and plants are grown across the United States at various Bower & Branch Growers. Depending on your location, your plant orders may be shipped from various locations. Please expect orders with multiple items to be delivered over a number of days as a result. Orders made up of numerous items or selections will not arrive at your home on the same day.
Shipping Delays:
From time to time, Bower & Branch Growers may determine to delay order shipment based on various factors for plant health. Weather in your region, as well as, where your plants are grown, is always considered when shipping. Extreme weather conditions may delay some or all of your order. Bower & Branch allows our Growers to make final shipping decisions based solely to benefit your trees and plants’ health and success.
How Does Sizing Work?
The size of our trees have nothing to do with the container size like you may find elsewhere–big doesn't mean just height - it’s also vigor, age, and overall health. Other online retailers are going to tell you that a plant is a seven gallon, that means nothing to your tree or plant (or you.)
Our trees for sale online are graded on large, x-large, and even bigger sizes. This is because our trees are sized by their age—the higher the letter, the more mature the tree. The age determines the trees’ overall height, size of the trunk and the overall branch density.
All of these characteristics are what you should be looking for when choosing a tree for immediate impact and instant curb appeal. Our extra-large tree and plant sizes are sure to wow you and your neighbors!
See the size guides below.
